A proposal for a Great Rides track connecting Wanaka and Cromwell, rejected in 2008, was part of the funding announcement made by Prime Minister John Key last weekend.
Upper Clutha Tracks Trust treasurer John Wellington told the Otago Daily Times this week the trust and other groups had never given up on the idea of joining the Central Otago track network.
‘‘We have just been nibbling away, extending our tracks down the Clutha [River], and we have been working on that this whole length of time.''
The total distance of new track required to link Wanaka and Cromwell - between existing track-ends at Luggate and Lowburn - would be 45km.
Mr Wellington said it was also planned to upgrade the existing parts of the track.
The Government, Central Lakes Trust and Otago Community Trust are proposing to spend a total of $26.3 million joining existing tracks to form a 536km network through Central Otago and the l\Lakes district - making it possible to ride off-road between Wanaka, Queenstown, Middlemarch and Lawrence.
A feasibility study done for the Upper Clutha Tracks Trust in September last year, estimated the Wanaka-Cromwell section would cost $3.6 million, excluding GST.
An earthworks contractor and a surveyor produced a ‘‘practical alignment'' for the track as part of the study.‘‘Generally, the track alignment avoids bluffs, cliffs and other adverse ground conditions and seeks the gentlest grades and terrain,'' a report on the study said.
Some culverts, small bridges and boardwalks would need to be installed across waterways and gullies, and car parks along the track were also recommended.
Parts of the track could be constructed on public land alongside the Clutha River but other parts would need to be on private land, because of river bank erosion.
Mr Wellington said a priority was to satisfy the concerns of landowners.
‘‘We have some landowners who are very supportive of the project and there are one or two who are a lot more hesitant. We are continuing to talk to them and we are continuing to look at ways we can try to address their concerns.''
Mr Wellington said the concerns were partly about privacy but also about the impact a track might have on development of their properties.
The feasibility study found ‘‘overall'' landowners, community groups and non-governmental organisations were ‘‘positive'' about the track.
It described the proposed track as an ‘‘easy ride'' meeting national cycle track grade 1 and 2 standards, which meant it would be wider and less steep than many other mountain bike tracks.‘‘It provides a level of comfort for less experienced riders,'' Mr Wellington said.
‘‘It makes it more accessible to more people.''
Mr Wellington said it had not yet been decided if the popular but narrow Outlet track between Lake Wanaka and Albert Town would be part of the route.
